Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Add power and persuasion to your books, articles, and one-sheets

  • Home
  • Editing
  • WordShops™
  • Word Trippers
  • Products
  • Praise
  • Portfolio
  • Blog
  • About

Is your writing pompous?

January 6, 2020 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

You can sound knowledgeable without sounding pompous... Here's how

 

You can sound knowledgeable without sounding pompous...here’s how.

There’s a fine line in communication – whether it’s in a non-fiction book or email at work – between sounding knowledgeable and sounding pompous.

Have you crossed that line? There are some common phrases to avoid if you don’t want to come across as arrogant or condescending.

It’s important that you temper your language when writing. You don’t have the benefit of voice intonation, hand gestures, emotions…all the things that impact a face-to-face encounter with your audience. 

If you give off the wrong signals in person, you have an immediate opportunity to correct your misstep.

That can’t be said of your writing. Once you’ve pressed “Send”, mailed the letter, circulated the memo or published the book, your opportunity to explain your intent has passed.

You don’t want to set a tone that can be misconstrued if you’re not there to explain what you meant.

There are several phrases you can avoid – they pad your writing with extra words but don’t add any meaning to your message.

Here are 12 phrases to avoid that will save you from sounding pompous:

  1. Not to mention… Okay, then don’t mention it.
  2. It goes without saying… Right, then don’t say it.
  3. If I may say so… Well, since you’re the author, of course, you can say so.
  4. I believe that… Now the reader wonders if your message is based in facts.
  5. In my humble opinion… An automatic signal that you’re not feeling humble.
  6. To tell the truth… Implies you’ve lied to your reader in the past. 
  7. To be honest with you… Again, a suggestion that you’ve been dishonest.
  8. For the record… If you’re not under oath you don’t need this qualifier.
  9. Let me be perfectly clear… Usually followed by complete bafflegab.
  10. This may sound stupid but… Check yourself, the rest of that sentence probably sounds stupid.
  11. With all due respect… The prelude to an insult, no respect implied or taken.
  12. In other words… The worst culprit. Just use the right words the first time.

Take these pompous-sounding “fillers” out of your writing to avoid confusion and gain clarity in your writing. This is particularly helpful in business communication, approach your reader assuming they’re pressed for time. They need information, not prose or poetry.

Are there other “filler phrases” that make writing sound pompous? Share them in the comments section below or send them along and I’ll add them to the list.

If you’d like help honing your writing skills, feel free to contact me.

Did you find this article helpful? Here are three others you’ll enjoy:

Why Use Active Verbs Instead of Passive?

Mixing Singular with Plural: Keep the Old Rules with Some New Tricks

Better Word Choices for Better Writing

This article was originally published on September 22nd, 2016, and has been updated. 

Filed Under: Business Writing Tagged With: #LearnEnglish, #words, #writing #ESL, arrogant writing, better writing, cliches, ESL, idioms, in other words, nonfiction book editor, pompous words, pompous writing, professional book editing, write with clarity, writing

Why Grammar Matters

March 3, 2017 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

Did you celebrate National Grammar Day on March 4th? I think it needs to be celebrated all year ’round especially when it comes to business writing.

Here’s why using proper grammar is important:

“Grammar is credibility. If you’re not taking care of the small things, people assume you’re not taking care of the big things.” — Amanda Sturgill, associate professor of communications at Elon University

What’s the best way to recognize Grammar Day? Spend extra effort to make sure your sentences, whether spoken or written, are grammatically correct.

grammar bookHow do you know what’s correct? Let me direct you to my colleague Kathleen Watson’s new reference book,  Grammar For People Who Hate Rules: Killer Tips From The Ruthless Editor.

This week only, Kathleen is offering it in ebook form for only 99 cents, downloadable on Amazon. This special offer expires at midnight on March 8, so act now!

You can order the paperback version at any time. It’s available at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Powell’s Books

This is one resource I use often and highly recommend!

 

Filed Under: Compelling Special Tagged With: #grammar mistakes, #LearnEnglish, credibility in writing, grammar resource, grammar rules, Kathleen Watson, nonfiction book edictor, professional business book editing, Writing Tips

Refresh Your English Language Knowledge Every Week

September 16, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

American English language resourceImagine having a resource at your fingertips that allows you to quickly find the right word when it matters most. Then imagine refreshing your knowledge in the English language every week so you can confidently use confusing words correctly.

Having the right word at your fingertips hasn’t always been easy—until now. Here’s a solution that enhances your excellence every day (not everyday).

Your Word Trippers Tips subscription offers:

  • An ebook featuring 390+ pesky pairings of words that can trip you up (except vs. accept, advise vs. advice, further vs. farther, to name a few)
  • A Word Tripper of the Week arriving in your in-box for 52 weeks (see sample on this page) and includes audio
  • Bonus PDFs on grammar and punctuation tips every quarter
  • A 38-minute webinar
  • A crossword puzzle that review previous Word Trippers

Sample of Word Tripper of the Week

ongoing word resource

Word Tripper of the Week

Build Credibility, Confidence, Competence in the English Language

Finding the right word to use that matters most—

  • Allows you to be seen as a credible professional
  • Ensures you’re using the right word properly—a confidence builder
  • Boosts your reputation for competence and excellence in your world

Your Word Tripper of the Week hones your English language knowledge and keeps the learning alive. And its usefulness has been time-tested for more than a decade.

To get a better grasp of the English language with ease, invest in Word Trippers Tips—only $99/year.

Questions? Click here for FAQs.

“My time is incredibly limited, and the last thing I need is useless email clogging up my in-box. I’ve been running my company for close to 20 years. Truth be told, I was highly skeptical that Word Trippers would be of any benefit. WRONG! In less than 30 seconds, I learned I was using an incorrect word to describe something. As a new subscriber, I’m looking forward to all the Word Trippers.”

– Michael Spremulli, Corporate Entertainer & Speaker, www.Spremulli.com

 

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: #business book editing, #LearnEnglish, #words, nonfiction book editor, professional editing, Word Trippers Tips, writing

Get In on the Word Trippers Tips Action

August 12, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

By Barbara McNichol

Who in your circle values precise, intelligent, accurate communication?

Imagine their gratitude when you introduce them to an ongoing word resource that lets them quickly find the right word when it matters most—one that refreshes every week?

That’s where the golden opportunity comes in for you—promoting Word Trippers Tips as an affiliate.

What is Word Trippers Tips?

American English language resource

It’s a subscription program that includes:

  • An ebook featuring 390+ pesky pairings of words that can trip you up (except vs. accept, advise vs. advice, further vs. farther)
  • A Word Tripper of the Week arriving in their in-box for 52 weeks and includes audio
  • Bonus PDFs on grammar and punctuation tips every quarter
  • Fabulous surprise bonuses on better writing along the way!

Who would benefit most as a Word Trippers Tips subscriber?

  • Business professionals
  • English language students
  • VAs and admin assistants
  • Entrepreneurs and leaders
  • Authors, bloggers, speakers
  • Court reporters, grant writings, journalists

How will this ongoing word resource help you as an affiliate?

  • Broadens your marketing reach through a highly credible offer
  • Allows you to put extra money in your pocket every month
  • Pays you a 25% commission for all $99 subscriptions sold through your link AND for their renewals, too!

By attracting 100 subscribers, you put $2,475 in your pocket. For 1,000 subscribers, it’s 10 times that amount. Turn your list into cash by promoting the gift of accuracy.

This “extra money” could add up quickly—at no risk to you!

Interested? Go to WordTrippers.com and sign up at the affiliate link. Click here for affiliate FAQs.

 

Filed Under: Compelling Special Tagged With: #business book editing, #LearnEnglish, #words, business professionals, English language learners, grammar and punchtuation, nuances of English language, ongoing word resource, professional book editor, Word Trippers Tips, writing

Contact an Editing Pro

Add Power to Your Pen and Authorship to Your Name

Email Barbara »

Call 520-615-7910

Book editing info »

Word Trippers Tips

American English language resource

Find the perfect word every time—a new Word Tripper every week!

Get Word Trippers Tips »

Blog Categories

  • Article Writing
  • BME in the News
  • Book Reading
  • Book Writing
  • Business Writing
  • Compelling Special
  • Editors and Authors
  • Grammar Tips
  • Speed Reading
  • Uncategorized
  • Word Tripper
  • Writing Tips
  • Writing Workshops

From Our Blog

No More Boring Expressions!

Source: www.grammarcheck.net … Read more »

View all blog posts »

Quick Links

  • Editing Services
  • WordShops™
  • Testimonials
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Word Trippers

Barbara McNichol Editorial
5090 N. Camino de la Cumbre
Tucson, AZ 85750

Phone: 520-615-7910

Email us »

Copyright © 2022 · Barbara McNichol Editorial · Website by Connexins